India and Australia are about to embark on a further reunion soon – another ODI series, more questions to be asked. In every way, it looks like another easy affair in Perth for October. But there is the element here of a different feeling. There is a strange atmosphere of tension regarding events. Australia, without Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell, seems to be a weaker side, but more unpredictable. Indeed, unpredictability is usually the most dangerous mode of the side.
Mitchell Marsh’s Leadership Turns Instinct Into Intent
Mitchell Marsh as captain feels like Australia’s version of organized chaos, the kind that somehow works. His recent numbers hint that responsibility doesn’t burden him; it frees him. In South Africa earlier this year, Marsh cracked 88 and 100 in the ODIs, then followed up with a 103* in the T20Is against New Zealand. He isn’t just a stand-in; he’s a stand-up leader who swings with intent.
Marsh’s ODI average against India (59.12) speaks to his knack for rising to the moment. His short bursts with the ball may still be limited due to that recurring back niggle, but the bigger weapon is his ability to set tempo. When Marsh bats long, Australia’s innings acquires that ruthless, uncomplicated rhythm that something India must disrupt early.
Cooper Connolly: Australia’s Unscripted Wild Card
Every Australia-India series seems to unearth one surprise, a player who doesn’t just arrive but announces. Cooper Connolly could be that headline this time. The 22-year-old’s rise has been meteoric and, crucially, modern. He blends the new-gen Aussie aggression with old-school adaptability, a left-hander who can swing hard, rotate strike, and then quietly roll his arm over for useful overs.
Connolly’s 5/22 against South Africa wasn’t a fluke; it was a warning. Add a breakout BBL season (351 runs, six wickets) and a solid A tour in India, and he looks like a cricketer comfortable under bright lights. For India, that’s tricky because planning against known stars is easy, but Connolly is still an unsolved puzzle. And the last thing you want in Perth’s bounce-friendly conditions is an unsolved left-hander turning confidence into chaos.
Josh Hazlewood: Old Script, New Relevance
Josh Hazlewood’s battles with India have become an annual ritual, predictable yet painful for the Men in Blue. His discipline, not his pace, is the weapon. Against India in ODIs, he’s taken 17 wickets in 11 games at 5.41, and he’s not just dismissed batters, he’s dismantled rhythm. Kohli’s personal nemesis in blue and gold, Hazlewood, has removed him five times while conceding just 58 runs in 98 deliveries.
Hazlewood’s style is old-school control meeting surgical precision. At Perth, with that biting seam and extra bounce, he doesn’t need movement, just consistency. And when India’s top order, still finding fluency in Australian conditions, meets Hazlewood’s corridor of uncertainty, there’s every chance history repeats itself or worse, evolves.
This Australian team may look transitional, but its instincts are timeless. Marsh’s captaincy brings energy, Connolly’s emergence adds volatility, and Hazlewood ensures the tradition of torment continues. India, buoyed by their Champions Trophy triumph, cannot afford to mistake Australia’s absences for weakness.
If anything, this series will test India’s adaptability. Can they counter Australia’s classic plan without the familiar faces executing it? Perth will provide the answer, and history suggests it won’t be a quiet one.
Key Takeaway
Australia may have changed faces, but not their formula for discomforting India.
FAQs
- What makes Mitchell Marsh a key threat against India?
His record (473 runs at 59.12) and recent form as captain suggest he thrives under pressure.
- Why could Cooper Connolly surprise India?
His all-around skill set and fearless style make him an unpredictable matchup on bouncy Australian pitches.
- How can India neutralize Josh Hazlewood’s threat?
By avoiding early defensive play, they must disrupt his length game with proactive movement and strike rotation.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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